ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Jal Shakti
CONSTRUCTION OF DAM AT MEKEDATU
The Feasibility Report  of Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water Project was submitted to Central Water Commission  by Government of Karnataka for according "in principle" clearance for preparation of Detailed Project Report  of the project. The Screening Committee of Central Water Commission in its meeting held on 24.10.2018 accorded “in-principle” clearance for preparation of DPR by project authority  subject to certain conditions including that: “As the main objective of this scheme as stated in the FR is to implement the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal Award as modified by the Hon'ble Supreme Court, acceptance of Cauvery Water Management Authority  would be a pre-requisite for consideration of the DPR by the Advisory Committee of MoWR, RD & GR”.
Subsequently, DPR of Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water Project was submitted to CWC by Government of Karnataka in January 2019 and copies of the same were forwarded to Cauvery Water Management Authority .
The State of Tamil Nadu has requested the Central Government to advise the Government of Karnataka not to take up the Mekedatu project.
Discussion on the DPR of the above project was included as an agenda item during various meetings of CWMA. However, discussion on this issue could not take place due to lack of consensus among party States on this agenda item.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
DGCA gave in-principle approval to AI & Indigo to import aircrafts
Availability of parking slots ensured while granting NOC for actual import of aircraft
Directorate General of Civil Aviation  has granted in-principle approval to Air India Ltd. and Interglobe Aviation Ltd  for import of 470 and 500 aircraft respectively. The details of the aircraft approved for being imported by DGCA are enclosed as Annexure. Information with respect to the cost of acquisition of these aircraft, being of commercial nature between the airline and the Original Equipment Manufacturers  is not available.
Availability of parking slots is ensured at the time of grant of NOC for actual import of aircraft. As per the induction plan of the airlines, the aircraft are proposed to be imported during the period 2023-2035. The airline operators have been advised by DGCA to share their induction plan with airport operators for ensuring availability of parking slots.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen.  V. K. Singh  in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Annexure
Details of In-Principle Import permissions obtained by Air India Ltd and InterGlobe
Aviation Ltd.
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S.
No.
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Name of Airlines
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Aircraft
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No. of aircraft
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1
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Air India Ltd.
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A320 Neo family
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210
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B737 family
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140
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A350 family
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40
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B777-9
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10
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B787-9
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20
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B737-8
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50
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2
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InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. 
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A320 Neo family
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500
Prime Minister's Office
PM anguished by the bus accident in Kullu, Himachal Pardesh
Announces ex-gratia from PMNRF
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the deaths in a tragic bus accident in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The Prime Minister has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 Lakhs to the next kin of deceased and Rs. 50,000 to those injured in the bus accident from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund .
The Prime Minister Office tweeted;
"The bus accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh is heart-rending. In this tragic hour my thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi"
"The Prime Minister has approved an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the tragic bus accident in Himachal Pradesh. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 each."
Ministry of Mines
Recent Reforms & Initiatives to Enhance Mineral Production
The Ministry of Mines has amended the Mines and Minerals  Act, 1957  through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2021 with effect from 28.03.2021 with the objective of inter alia increasing mineral production and time bound operationalization of mines, increasing employment and investment in the mining sector, maintaining continuity in mining operations after change of lessee and increasing the pace of exploration and auction of mineral resources.
The reforms inter-alia includes the following:
- Removal of distinction between captive and non-captive mines by mandating auction of mineral blocks without any end use restriction. Further, existing captive mines have been allowed to sell up to 50% of the minerals produced after meeting the requirement of linked plants and on payment of additional amount to State Government.
- Provision has been made for transfer of valid statutory clearances in relation to a mine which is expiring or terminated to the successful bidder of such mine in auction.
- Restrictions on transfer of mineral concessions for non-auctioned mines have been removed.
- Accredited private exploration agencies which have been notified under second proviso to Section 4 of the MMDR Act have been allowed to carry out exploration without prospecting licence. These agencies have also been made eligible for obtaining funding under National Mineral Exploration Trust . So far, 14 accredited private exploration agencies have been notified.
In addition to the above reforms, several others policy initiatives have been taken up by the Ministry to promote ‘Ease of Doing Business’, expedite auction of mineral blocks and increase the pace of exploration of minerals. These reforms include, simplification of exploration norms for auction of mineral blocks, enabling any person to submit a proposal to the State Government for notification of an area for auction of composite licence, incentive for production & dispatch earlier than the scheduled date of commencement of production, cap on net worth requirement for participating in auction of mining lease and composite license, decriminalization of offences of minor nature and allowing GPS for identification and demarcation of the area where a composite licence is proposed to be granted through auction.
Ministry of Mines has implemented Sustainable Mining by making provisions under Chapter-V of Mineral Conservation and Development Rules , 2017. Rule 35 of MCDR provides for star rating of the mining leases based on the sustainable mining practices adopted by the miners.
This information was given by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
‘Walk in interview’ For Postal Life Insurance Agent
Chennai City Central Division, Senior Superintendent of Postal, Major Divya .D in a press release stated as follows:
It is proposed to engage Direct Agents for sale of Postal Life Insurance / Rural Postal Life Insurance products. Interested candidates fulfilling the following eligibility conditions may attend ‘walk in interview’ to be held in the O/O Senior Superintendent of Pos, Chennai City Central Division [at No. 2 SivagnanamSalai , T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017] at 10.00 hours on 29.09.2022[Thursday].
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
- Qualification: 10th pass.
- Age: 18 to 50 years
- Categories: Unemployed / self-employed educated youth, Ex life advisors/Ex agents of any insurance company, Ex-servicemen, Aanganwadi workers, Mahila Mandal workers, Retired teachers, Self Help Groups functionaries, etc or any intending person fulfilling above conditions.
- Desirable: 1. Experience in selling Insurance Products, knowledge of computers/knowledge of local area. 2. Resident of Chennai City.
- Candidates doing life insurance business in other insurance companies are not eligible to apply as Direct Agent.
- Documents: Eligible candidate should bring Original and two Xerox copies of age proof, address proof and educational qualification proof with threerecent passport size photo.
Candidates selected after interview has to provide cash Security of Rs. 5000/- in the form of National Savings Certificate /KisanVikasPatra  to be pledged to the President of India as security.
This is not a job offer/ employment in the Post office. Interview is conducted for engaging Direct Agents for marketing/selling Postal Life Insurance products based on IRDA guidelines.Direct Agents so engaged have to procure PLI Policies through marketing. Commission/Incentive to the Direct Agent will be paid on the basis of his/her procurement of PLI policies.
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Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Shri Bhupender Yadav releases white tiger cubs in arena of white tiger enclosure in National Zoological Park, New Delhi
Union Minister names female cub as “Avani” meaning earth and male cub as “Vyom" which means universe
Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav released white tiger cubs today in arena of white tiger enclosure in National Zoological Park, New Delhi by flagging off . The Union Minister has named female cub as “Avani” meaning earth & male cub as “Vyom" which means universe. The parentage consists of father Vijay and mother tigress Sita.
Tigress Sita delivered these cubs on 24.08.2022. Now these two cubs, one male and one female, are about 8 months old. These cubs till now were kept in night shelter and in the side kraal during day time with mother. As the cubs need more area for their movement they are being released in the bigger area i.e. arena in visitor display.
Shri Yadav also interacted with school children to promote Mission LIFE and shared the importance of sustainable way of living and natural resource conservation. Group of about 100 students and staff from various schools of New Delhi attended the programme and showed enthusiasm to promote wildlife conservation. After the release of white tiger cubs zoo walk was conducted for the school students..
Director General of Forest & Special Secretary, MOEF&CC Shri Chandra Prakash Goyal, ADG  Shri Satya Prakash Yadav, ADG Shri. Bivash Ranjan, Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Shukla ,IG Wildlife Shri Rohit Tiwari and officials from MOEFCC were also present on the occasion.
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR-NIScPR Celebrates Communal Harmony Week and Flag Day 2022
CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication & Policy Research  is celebrating the Communal Harmony Campaign Week which was started from 19 November 2022. It culminates with Flag Day on 25 November 2022. CSIR-NIScPR organized various activities to celebrate the event.
Shri RKS Roshan, CoA, CSIR-NIScPR delivering a talk on ‘Conflicts & Resolutions’; Shri HJ Khan, Chief Scientist chaired the session
Posters for awareness have been displayed in both the campuses of CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi. A special talk was delivered by Shri R.K.S. Roushan, Controller of Administration, CSIR-NIScPR on 24th November 2022. The title of his talk was “Conflicts and Resolutions - Indian Experiences”. He enthralled the audience with the vast information he delivered through his talk on the various conflicts in India since historical times till those of the present with the ways they have been tried to be resolved. He also took them back to the times of 80’s through the video “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara”.
Shri Hasan Jawed Khan, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR Chaired the session. The programme began with a brief by Shri Anil Kumar, Technical Assistant, CSIR-NIScPR on the National Foundation for Communal Harmony  and ended with a vote of thanks by Shri Rajiv Kumar, Assistant Section Officer, CSIR-NIScPR. Several staff members and students of the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research  attended the programme which was also streamed online via MS Teams. All the staff members have been encouraged to donate for the cause generously. Top three donors would be appreciated.
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SNC/RR
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Ministry of Home Affairs
Monsoon 2019 : Flood Rescue and Evacuation Operations by NDRF
Flood rescue and evacuation operations by NDRF in flood hit areas across the country are continuing. The personnel of NDRF are delivering their best to make the access to the stranded people in low lying parts of regions. Besides, NDRF teams are also distributing relief materials and providing medical care to the needy peoples.
Assam: The flood situation has slightly improved at few places in Assam, but at some places, it still remains critical. NDRF teams deployed at Morigaon in Assam to meet the challenges due to flood like situations, conducted rescue & relief operation and evacuated 165 marooned people. Besides, teams also provided medical assistance to the 83 needy people. So far, more than 5830 people have been evacuated by NDRF in Asssam
Bihar: The water levels have begun to recede in the inundated areas of Bihar. Today, NDRF team operational at Distt. Darbhanga, in connection with the flood like situation, evacuated 20 stranded people and shifted them to safer places. In addition, NDRF team assisted to the state administration in organising medical camps and in distribution of relief material. So far, NDRF teams have evacuated more than 4400 people in Bihar.
A 24X7, NDRF control room in Delhi is functioning round the clock to watch the ongoing operations and in touch with other agencies to further respond in case of emergencies. DG NDRF Sh. S. N. Pradhan, is personally monitoring the situations.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Technologies to address Air Pollution
A pilot study was awarded wherein 30 buses were fitted with Pariyayantra Filtration units on bus roof top for dust collection from the environment in Delhi-NCR.
Several projects were undertaken to incorporate new technologies to address air pollution. Details are enclosed at Annexure-I.
Annexure-I
Details of studies undertaken for incorporation of new technologies to address air pollution
- Under pilot study of WAYU, 54 Air Purification Units were installed at traffic intersection in Delhi.
- Pilot study on ‘Control of Dust emissions using Dust Suppressant’
- Pilot study on ‘Ionisation technology for reduction in ambient air pollution’
- 2 Smog towers as medium/large-scale air purifiers to reduce particulate air pollution were installed.
- Pilot project on ‘Emission measurement for in-use diesel generator sets  and evaluating the potential of retrofitting exhaust after treatment solutions for emissions reductions.
- Pilot Project on ‘Retrofitting emission control devices in identified classes of in-use vehicles and recommendations for emission reduction from old/in-use vehicles ’
- R&D project of DST for development of indigenous photonic system for real time remote monitoring of air quality parameters.
- DST National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems , Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation Foundation on ‘development of Electric Vehicle  based autonomous vehicles’. Autonomous technology of EVs has potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by optimizing driving patterns and reducing traffic congestion.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
Twelve Projects Worth Rs 929 Crore Approved Under Namami Gange
Two STP Projects in Delhi at Coronation Pillar and Chattarpur Given Green Signal
The Executive Committee  of the National Mission for Clean Ganga approved 12 projects worth Rs. 929 Crore under the Namami Gange programme in its 16th meeting today.
Two Sewage Treatment Plants  have been sanctioned for Delhi for creating 340 MLD waste treatment capacity at a cost of Rs 580 Crore. The first is an STP of 318 MLD capacity at Coronation Pillar. The second is a project in Chattarpur assembly constituency where various sewage pumping stations and 9 STPs of total 22.5 MLD capacity will be constructed. Sewage flow will be collected and pumped to STPs for treatment. The treated water will be used for development/ rejuvenation of eight nearby waterbodies and for irrigation purpose. The Central Government will fund Rs 256 Crore for the project.
For Uttar Pradesh many projects have been approved with total cost of Rs 128 Cr. One existing Common Effluent Treatment Plant  of 6.25 MLD capacity for textile printing units in Mathura Industrial Area has been taken up for upgradation. Apart from this, one project for treatment of Rampur Drain in Rampur, using NSN-Technology based Bio Oxygenation and another project for treatment of 30 drains and third party inspection of 123 drains in the state has been approved.
For inspection and monitoring of industries, STPs and CETPs by third party technical institutions, an amount of 0.98 Cr has been sanctioned for strengthening of UP Pollution Control laboratories. This project will enable UP Pollution Control Board to better monitor and inspect all Grossly Polluting Industries, STP & CETPs situated in the catchment area of River Ganga and its tributaries.
For West Bengal, two projects have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 50 Cr. One project has been approved for upgrading the STP in Kancharapara from 13 MLD to 18 MLD capacity, along with its operation and maintenance for the next 15 years. Another project has been sanctioned for Hilsa fisheries improvement at Farraka barrage. Implementation of this project will increase the natural stock of Hilsa in the river Ganga, upstream of Farakka barrage through ranching of wild collected Hilsa seed/juveniles. The project will also study and monitor Hilsa migration across the Farakka barrage in the main river Ganga.
Two more projects have been sanctioned in this EC meeting under CSR category which will be funded by corporate groups. INDORAMA Charitable Trust is funding the Ghat and Crematoria Work at Badrinath and Gangotri in Uttarakhand at a cost of Rs 26.33 Cr. Shipping Corporation of India  is taking up renovation and beautification of Ganga River Bank at Katwa, West Bengal at a cost of Rs 0.35 Cr.
Prime Minister's Office
PM launches public movement and appeals everyone to unite in fight against corona
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launched a public movement today and appealed everyone to unite in the fight against corona.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister appealed everyone to unite in the fight against Corona. Reiterating the key message of “wear a mask, wash hands, follow social distancing and practice do gaj ki doori”, the Prime Minister said together we will succeed and win against the Covid-19.
The campaign is being launched with the aim to encourage People’s Participation. Under the campaign, a COVID-19 Pledge will be taken by all. A Concerted Action Plan will be implemented by Central Government Ministries/ Departments and State Governments/ Union Territories with the following highlights:
- Region- specific targeted communication in high case-load districts.
- Simple and easily understandable messages to reach every citizen
- Dissemination throughout the country using all media platforms
- Banners and Posters at public places; involving Frontline workers and Targeting Beneficiaries of Government Schemes
- Hoardings/ wall paintings/ electronic display boards in government premises
- Involvement of Local and National influencers to drive home the message
- Running mobile vans for regular awareness generation
- Audio messages; pamphlets/ brochures on awareness
- Seeking support of Local Cable Operators for running COVID messages
- Coordinated media campaign across platforms for effective outreach and impact
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Management of e-waste
The import and export of hazardous and other wastes is regulated under the Hazardous and Other Wastes  Rules, 2016 notified by the Ministry. Government had banned import of e-waste in the country by listing e-waste in the Schedule VI  of the said rules.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India  in its Report No. 16 of 2018 titled “Performance Audit of Working of Inland Container Depots  and Container Freight Stations ” has reported that as on 31st March, 2017, 469 containers of hazardous waste were lying uncleared for a period ranging from one to seventeen years wherein, no illegal shipment of e-waste was reported.
The management of e-waste in the Country is regulated under the E-Waste  Rules, 2016. Under the said Rules, the responsibility of disposal of e-waste in a scientific and environmentally sound manner has been assigned to Producers of notified Electrical & Electronic Equipment  as listed in Schedule – I of the said rules under the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility . Under EPR regime producers of EEE, have given annual e-waste collection and recycling targets based on the generation from the previously sold EEE or based on sales of EEE as the case may be.
The compliance monitoring is done through Action Plan developed by Central Pollution Control Board  for enforcement of E-Waste  Rules, 2016 in the Country. The major action points include identification of Non-EPR Authorization producers, State/UT wise inventorization of e-waste, verification of system provided by producers for e-waste channelization, verification of facilities of dismantlers/ recyclers, drives for checking informal activities, formulation of State Level Committee for monitoring implementation of rules and mass awareness activities etc. Under the action plan, monitoring and compliance of producers are ensured through Sate Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees. Further, under the existing rules, provisions are in place for action against the companies who are violating the said rules.
This information was given by Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Indian wrestling team on winning 16 medals at the U20 World Championships
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian wrestling team on winning 16 medals  at the U20 World Championships.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"Our wrestlers make us proud again! Congratulations to our team on winning 16 medals  at the U20 World Championships. This is India’s best-ever performance. It also shows the future of Indian wrestling is in safe hands!"